The Quran's verses regarding the Earth are open to interpretation; while most Islamic scholars throughout history have understood them to support a round Earth, some interpretations can also align with a flat Earth.
Here's a breakdown:
The Round Earth Interpretation:
- Historical Scholarly Consensus: The majority of Islamic scholars, particularly during the Golden Age of Islam, believed in a spherical Earth. This understanding was based on astronomical observations and mathematical calculations of the time.
- Quranic Verses: Verses describing the day and night cycle, and the Earth's rotation around the sun, are often cited as evidence supporting a spherical Earth. For example, verses that mention the sun and moon traveling in fixed courses imply a sphere.
- Scientific Compatibility: The round Earth view aligns with scientific understanding of the cosmos, which many modern Muslim scholars accept as compatible with their faith.
The Flat Earth Interpretation:
- Literal Readings: Some interpretations of certain verses, particularly those describing the Earth as "spread out" or having "pegs" (mountains) to hold it steady, can be understood to suggest a flat Earth.
- Minority View: This interpretation has historically been a minority view among Islamic scholars.
- Modern Resurgence: The flat-Earth theory has seen a resurgence in recent times, influenced by online communities and certain literalist interpretations of religious texts, including the Quran. However, this view is not widely accepted within mainstream Islamic scholarship.
Summary Table:
| Feature | Round Earth Interpretation | Flat Earth Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| Scholarly Support | Majority historically and currently | Minority historically and currently |
| Quranic Basis | Verses describing celestial movements and cycles | Verses describing the Earth as "spread out" and having "pegs" |
| Scientific Basis | Aligns with established scientific knowledge | Conflicts with established scientific knowledge |
Ultimately, whether the Quran suggests a flat or round Earth depends on how one interprets its verses. The dominant historical and current scholarly understanding is that the Quran is compatible with the concept of a round Earth, even though some verses can be interpreted differently.
